State Dept. boozes it up on your dime

As reported in the Washington Times, while the rest of the government was shutting down, the State Department was busy stocking up on booze for the embassies. In September alone the State Department spent about $180,000 on liquor for a grand total of more than $400,000 for the year, more than three times the entire liquor tab for all of 2008. According to the Washington Times:

The liquor bill, split among purchase orders placed at embassies around the world, included some major last-minute pre-shutdown splurges:

• $5,625 in “gratuity wine” at the embassy in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 29, followed by $5,925 in “gratuity whiskey” on the day the shutdown began.

• $22,416 in wine at the embassy in Tokyo.

• $15,900 in bourbon and whiskey in Moscow.

It’s not unusual for U.S. embassies to serve alcohol at diplomatic events under Democratic and Republican administrations alike — but the booze bill has grown enormously since Obama’s inauguration in 2008.

Now in full disclosure I want to let you know the hardest drink I’ve ever imbibed is ginger ale. I’m not a partaker of alcoholic beverages, but don’t begrudge anyone who is. As a matter of fact, I was always the designated driver for my buddies when I was a young lieutenant.

However, I believe this is something where we must ask ourselves, is this a good use of our American taxpayer dollars, regardless of political party? I know entertaining is important for these government agencies, but I don’t recall any General officer using taxpayer dollars to fund alcohol purchases for parties. Maybe I’m wrong. Chime in folks, are you ok with our State Department, and who knows others, using your taxpayer dollars to get their drink on?

Keep them liquored up and everyone is happy! 2016 can’t come soon enough.

Kate

Why do you think the big push to legalize marijuana? Keep them doped up and tuned out. In my opinion if things don’t change in 2014 in the House and Senate it’s over, 2016 is too late economically.

BILLYDEVO

Kind of explains why no one has a clue what is going on around the world

Jim Youngblood

and according to Pelosi “the cupboard is bare”

Kate

I think this would anger every American citizen hit with insurance cancellations and huge premium increases this Christmas season. I think all of DC has forgotten whose money they are spending, and quite frankly I am extremely tired of seeing the value of my assets shrinking. Where is the budget? How do you make last minute expenditures of this magnitude without budget and budget approval. I am cutting my household budget to come up with $753 increase in health insurance premiums. Angry.

Rey Flores

There isn’t enough booze on the planet to drown out all of the sorrows these malcontents have put the American people through.

Perhaps these government bureaucrats know what slimebags they truly are and that is why they are literally drinking themselves to death.

stairman

why do you think they are distracting us with moonshiner shows on tv?

monte485

It happens every year .. Spend it or they won’t get the funds the next year. This is only a drop in the bucket in the year-end spending frenzy.

bkp100

We’re continually admonished as to how the govt. budget can *not* be likened to private sector budgets… Why should we think the ‘end-of-year’ budget blowout should be? They want NONE of the limits of the private sector, but ALL of the privileges… and then some…

Doug

What do you expect from a president that holds a beer summit

MsFitzTX

But they want to take money away from soldiers and their families. I am so, so sick of all this out of control spending. And my first reaction to this is that the liquor never made it to those embassies. It is sitting in the liquor bar of several State Dept personnel homes. I’d bet on that.

stairman

by now most likely their septic systems

Debbie

What difference does it make? These people in this administration are drunk with power and give a hoot for we the people.

Philip Millard

How much of that booze actually ended up in the liquor cabinets of embassy employees? I can almost guarantee that a large part was diverted to “private” use, and I don’t mean as either gifts to foreign dignitaries or at embassy hosted receptions/parties.

As long as he doesn’t try to ban anything I’d vote for him in a second.

Judy Ashcraft

I totally agree with Mr. West. $400,000 in one year is totally outrageous! Three times more than the 2008 budget for booze is too much! Even allowing for inflation, that is a crazy amount. I lost my job about 2 years ago to down sizing. The money spent on booze was more than 12 times my annual income of $33,000. With our country in such a bad economic condition the $$$ for booze is totally out of line. You don’t have to drink alcohol to have fun and I’m offended that so many people think Mr. West’s statements are because he doesn’t drink. I drink, usually only about 2 or 3 times a year, and could easily go without for the rest of my life. Alcohol has it’s time and place and should also have it’s limits.

Johanna Roberts

jus saying, You, Gavin are an ASS

Robert Williams

Sorry IRS and Uncle Sam. I have followed your lead and have spent your Tax dollars too. I will not be able to send you a payment this April. I am sure you understand.
Thank you,
Disgruntled tax payer.

stairman

is Pelosi planning a tour of our embassies soon?

MovingToNevada

I don’t think she knows what an embassy is.

Jonathan Marcoulides

If I thought they were using it for a political advantage, during negotiations, to get a better deal for America I would say absolutely, but looking at the way we negotiated with Iran I would have to say it is our diplomats drinking all that alcohol which is as bad of an idea as leaving a message or texting while intoxicated it never works out well the next day!

Jim Sleeper

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia… DoS can drink in war zones. Our service members can’t even have a beer, yet the other coalition forces have their watering holes no problem.…

RVNMike

Just go to the German compound. They are a lot of fun.

joey2zs

So, instead of spending $400,000 a year to lubricate foreign diplomats who can effect huge spending on American products/services… Mr West would prefer… WHAT be done with this budgetary line item? What does that $400k in booze produce in “sales” and closed deals for America? Presumably many, many, many times more in return.
Why is Mr West pushing his morality onto our public government? What does he want next, Sharia Law?
Why can’t American vintners and distillers enjoy sales from government accounts? Seems unpatriotic to me.

Mr West would prefer our diplomats serve Kool Aid be at State Dinners with foreign dignitaries as they represent the United States of America. Heh.

yourestupid

You obviously didn’t read the article jackwagon. All you did just now, with your poorly thought statement, is confirm what your mother already knows; that you’re a douche who can’t read.

lauren

Thank you so much..that’s exactly what I was thinking…and to see it in writing just cracked me up. It’s difficult to read with his head stuck that far up his ass. I’d be sympathetic on his behalf but there’s really no point and would be a wasted effort. Truly thanks again for the laugh.

Jim Sleeper

You’re a tard…or a DoS employee which means the same…

Paula

Sorry, I agree with Mr. West, I don’t want my tax dollars spent on booze for our diplomats or foreign diplomats. People drinking is their own business, but not if I’m paying for it. I do not drink either and feel there are many things besides liqueur that can be served at state functions. I know there are many essential things that must be paid for in our government but making sure drunks have their booze is not one of them.

David Frazier

It is better to keep silent and be thought ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

RVNMike

Joey should have been told this before he opened his mouth.

MovingToNevada

Triple the money spent compared to 2008 and nothing to show for it. Get a grip. A lot of this alcohol isn’t produced in the states either (including wines). Many are imports.

kat

$400,000 is a lot of money to many Americans that could be better used here to provide jobs for those who need them instead of making closed door deals with foreign countries to import their goods which much of it from China are toxic.
I would prefer they not serve anything and close all the embassys down.

kat

Nobody has said in this article who was going to benefit from the sales. More than likely foreign companies in foreign lands…not here where it would have to be transported to foreign soil.

RVNMike

Now show me where our trade has gone up under this vast increase in free booze. It hasn’t. This is just his regime trying to show off how rich they are, with our money. It has to be brought back under control.
The only friends he is making is with the middle eastern dictators and mullahs. They aren’t suppose to be drinking. So where is that much booze going? Did they at least get a discount for buying such massive quantities, or did they buy from another of obama’s crew?

Jan

that is what the obama voters have been drinking. in fact, the election of obama were both fraudulent

Johanna Roberts

I’m sure Mr West, who actually USES his brain, could list a hundred ‘returns’ that would actually benefit the tax-payers, compared to bloated likker expenditures from vintners and distillers, all of whom are not American.

Andy

Hillary’s been on an embassy tour?

kat

Anyone ever wonder what our government would do if we all changed our withholdings to exempt fed taxes on our payroll for one week and the government did not get their money? I bet they would change their tune really fast because they could not arrest every American at once.

Melanie Sanders

I’ve always wanted to do this, except for a whole year.

Johanna Roberts

I wish this plan would catch on for the tax-payer year. However, we would have to empty out our checking and bank accounts first, otherwise, it’s my understanding that IRS has been given the authority via obamacare, to attach our money accounts.

Paulette

that is more money than our income for 5 years

lordhelpus

DO YOU PEOPLE SERIOUSLY NOT READ? DID ANY OF YOU JACKASSES ACTUALLY READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE? He SAID he doesn’t care that others drink. He SAID he knows all administrations have a booze bill. He SAID that the cost of booze under Obama has skyrocketed. What part of this article says he is against drinking or the govt having a booze bill? READ THE DAMN ARTICLE. Jeeez you people are the reason I DRINK.

JoshJohnston

This doesn’t bother me if there is a valid reason such as the embassy hosting foreign guests. For personal office use, I completely disagree with them purchasing alcohol with taxpayer monies. Now, from this comment section, every idea that we can come up with in terms of use of the alcohol is entirely speculation – we have no way of telling what is actually done with the booze. In good faith, we must assume that this liquor is used in negotiations and diplomatic events.

Dwight E Howell

The use of the term gratuity is suggestive of giving bottles to guests or staff as presents.

Glen Saunders

Josh been there done that……It’s free flowing and at taxpayer expense…..

Roger Dent

MAYBE ITS USED INSTEAD OF WINDEX? OR AS RUBBING ALCOHOL

Jim Sleeper

So what do they do with the money they charge people for the drinks?

Glen Saunders

They don’t charge Jim. They’re “gratuitous” meaning they get the visiting VIP’s drunk on their asses at all of their bashes……

WenPap

Charge ? They give it away free ! Hence the word ” gratuitity “

Rufus

It’s not just the State Department.
ALL of Washington DC are alcoholics.
Why do you think Obama and Reid call for meeting with Boehner after 4PM?
He’s drunk by then and won’t stand up for us, because, well, he can’t stand up.

kevnlittle

That would have been enough money to keep the White House tours running.

jaylemeux

“I don’t recall any General officer using taxpayer dollars to fund alcohol purchases for parties.”

Perhaps you should reach deeper into your memory.

Mjenkins

How about Pelosi on a government plane flying from California to Washington and back three times a week with family and friends drinking up a storm. Does that count as a general officer using taxpayer dollars to fund alcohol purchases for parties?

REBA72653

not only drinking up a storm but also demanding choc covered strawberries

mjenkins

Exactly, But some of these MORONS don’t see a problem with this.

Nancy

No I’m not ok with it! When my neighbor lost his insurance a month ago and now pays double for coverage that doesn’t cover his own health issue!! No I’m not ok with it! He also can not afford to buy the medication he has taken for 10 years. His new policy does not cover, so the increase is one hundred times what he has been paying! No I’m not ok with them using my tax dollars to by alcohol! I’m looking at trying to cut out something from my own life to help him buy his medicine. I don’t drink either but if I did i would pay for it myself! No I’m not ok with it!!!!

RVNMike

I guess obama’s rules allow them the luxury of spending with few restrictions. Its all free money isn’t it?

Tacjam4

All nicities in Government should be stopped until the national debt is $0! That’s how families in debt do it!

WenPap

AMEN !!

johnTnash

I have a novel idea … Why don’t they stick to an approved budget instead of turning in a racked up bill?

LauraJ

Budget??? What’s that???

Texaswede

Harry Reid: “Beats the hell out of me!”

Larryj

I hope you mean why he got elected in the first place. Not that he comes to your house with a belt.

faye Paolino

John there hasn’t been an approved budget in 5 years. That’s why he doesn’t make a budget. He can spend whatever he pleases on anything he pleases like millions of dollar’s on vacation’s.

Jan

No, I am not okay with this..There is NO reason for anyone to drink alcohol beverages. No wonder this idiot in OUR White House is giving away everything to Egypt, Mexico, Russia, China, etc. The A$$hole is DRUNK..and CRAZY and out to destroy OUR country. That is why hillary was on the go so much, she was drinking up ALL the liquor in EVERY Embassy on the map. That is why she doesn’t remember or cared what was happening in Benghazi to Ambassador Stevens and the others that were MURDERED.

dennisc200

Allen West is a self loathing Uncle Tom who probably needs a few drinks. I can’t believe that anyone follows what this fool says.

Mark

Really Dennis, Uncle Tom? Boy, they don’t come any more racist then you, do they?

Glen Saunders

Be sure you’re not hiding and try using your real name when you make idiotic remarks like that. Surely you’re man or woman enough to stand for what you believe. I mean if you’re going to make racist remarks like that you should stand behind them and not hide like a coward………

WenPap

Oh, anyone who is against American citizens taking advantage of the system and making the ” lazy, entitled ” mentality a way of life and lord forbid if that person is Black, Wa La , Bam, here it comes the ” Uncle Tom ” label…..ugggggg, PLEASE !! Mr. West is just a concerned American citizen with a right to his opinion….

Jeff Ely

Racist much?

Roger Dent

AGAIN TYPICAL OF THE FOLLOWERS OF THE PIED PIPER, WHEN NOT HAVING ANYTHING INTELLIGENT TO SAY, RESORT TO INSULTS

Larryj

Mister West is an American Hero, in my eyes. You Dennisc are not. Take your meds. and cool your jets.

Glen Saunders

So while the Secretary of Defense is trying to close Commissaries the Secretary of State is replenishing the booze in foreign embassies. Yes indeed the government planning is really working overtime now. What a bunch of idiots…..

Dale Little

It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall at one of their drunken parties. Here is what one former rising star in the former Soviet Union had to say about his disillusionment of Communism, “I looked around. Here were the great Communist leaders of Kamchatka Province, drunk. Several had passed out cold, their heads lying flat on the table. Three lay with their faces in their plates of food…Others were fast drinking themselves into unconsciousness…I looked atthem in disgust. I had ordered cadets from the academy for less than this…I was looking at the”cream of the crop” Communist leaders, and the cream of the crop were stoned out of their heads…The whole scene was incredibly and utterly disgusting….my encounter with Orlov and the roomful of Communist bigwigs showed me the hypocrisy of it all…the leaders were rich with everything, but the life of the people was poor and hard…I had been raised under the system since I was six…My idealism…died that night of Lenin’s 100th birthday”. From The Persecutor by Sergei Kourdakov.

Suzanne McKay

Thank you for this, Dale! I’m “Sharing” Allen’s post, and I will encourage viewers to read your Comment!

A.c. Volper

HOW ABOUT AN ACCOUNTING ON BOHENERS PLANE USEAGE, BOOZE COSTS ON BOARD AS WELL SPEAKING OF FOOLS DENNIS IS UR LOVE AFFAIR WITH A KNOWN LIAR GONE FROM FULL TIME STATUS TO PART TIME STATUS, BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL A FULL TIME FOOL EITHER WAY

Texaswede

Compared to Pelosi when she was Speaker , Bonehead is a tightwad!

Susan

I have heard that Boehner often chooses not to
use the plane or alcohol onboard.

Roger Dent

TYPICAL OF THE LAMBS FOLLOWING THE TUNE, WITHOUT ANYTHING INTELLIGENT TO SAY, RESORT TO INSULTS

lilmia

i’m not okay with it even a little bit. as the spouse of an abusive functioning alcoholic, it infuriates me that elected officials are using my tax dollars in this way. especially since i was laid off from my job after 18 years due to gov’t budget cuts. i finally get another job and now the hours are being cut to align w/the obamacare requirements. SMDH

Dumba$$

Dump the alcoholic lower…

REBA72653

STATE DINNERS OK TO SERVE WINE FOR TOAST, AFTER THAT PUT THE CORK BACK IN THE BOTTLES.

Do you know what party is in power. Yes Mike it you guys it was your budget cuts. Barry loves to make little people hurt. Then tell you followers it was us. Off you go throwing rocks. WOW the uninformed RULE. Fo0r NOW

SandyT

Larryj, did you notice the quotation marks before and after mike’s post? He was quoting a Democrat who was blaming the Republicans for inadequate security at the embassies. I don’t think mike is a Democrat.

Susan Maree Jeavons

Is that why those Americans died at Benghazi? Because of those Republicans? BS! Sounds like one of Obamas trolls.

SandyT

I know there is no sarcasm font, but maybe there should be, so people will recognize it more easily.

Susan Maree Jeavons

You’re right Sandy. They should have one. Of course I was being sarcastic. Thanks.

Molly

In the government science center where I work, we are not allowed to have alcohol on the premises. We have even been forbidden from using government money to supply food (donuts or cookies and coffee) at meetings. So, again, even among federal employees, there are two standards: one for those in DC and a different one for those in the rest of the country.

Texaswede

You are correct. The little people outside the Beltway must obey the rules. Inside the beltway, not so much! (The State department: Buying us friends abroad with booze , money, and an occasional hooker)

Marnott

Well, that explains a lot about the decisions and policies being made, doesn’t it?

Marshall Dearman

WHen I drank everone drinks, when I pay everone pays.

Ida Cook

Who ever allowed this stupid spending should be fired and that means all of them.

Pegesu

If we had an abundance to spend, after all our children were fed and clothed, bills paid etc… much like in my own home.

redley62

With this president this country didn’t start out having enough money to spend, so he borrowed it…some 8 Trillion dollars worth of debt in less that 6 years. Now, he is buying booze and traveling off the backs of the tax payers. HE is laughing all the way to prosperity and WE are allowing it and will pay for it. Now, Obama has balls and is getting away with it…..for now.

Army Grunt

They are cutting tuition assistance across the board, but letting embassies booze it up. But if I buy alcohol on my government travel card while TDY, even with dinner, I get and Article 15.

Charie

Cases of booze can be used for bribes. Who is being bribed?

Craig Wooldridge

I was much like you, Colonel, during my 24 years of service. I spent my time making sure my troops got back to the barracks safely, which was hard enough. Seabees can be hard drinkers. In all that time, I have never seen a CO, or OIC, Flight Chief, Shift Commander (Air Force SP as well), etc, utilize public moneys for libations. For some reason, the present administration seems to think it is their job to “live it up” on the people’s dime while they are in power. Sad that they can’t just do the job they were elected to do.

Roger Dent

HAD TO JOIN THE O CLUB THOUGH

redley62

Everything about this present administration has the stink of CASTRO on it.

Texas ParentsCare

This is absolutely RIDICULOUS! How can the government justify $400K in liquor purchases??? I don’t recall our Constitution providing or funding alcohol! This is not road repairs, infrastructure or aiding another country! In fact, everyone knows that alcohol impairs judgment! How many medical bills could have been covered by that??? Every American should be outraged by this!!! Congress should pass a law prohibiting alcoholic purchases by government entities period! Individuals who want to drink can pay for it themselves or the host can (and be liable for it)!!!

Roger Dent

SHOVEL READY JOB?

Helen Davis

Alcohol is sometimes the coin of the realm and the oil of diplomacy so, yes, I think some alcohol is a legitimate state department expense. I think Col. West hit on the critical element it in mentioning the increase, the excessive amount of money going to this method of friend-making. And no, I do not drink or like to be around drinking. I do, however, read widely and see how some other peoples use alcohol judiciously to create a sense of hospitality and goodwill and how it is culturally expected.

Larryj

YEA, what Helen said.

NCCaniac42

That is less that 1% of 1% of 1% and even less than that. Get over yourself.. I would rather we worry about why the Banksters have yet to pay for ruining our economy and why we give BILLIONS and BILLIONS of our tax dollars to CORPORATIONS in the form of tax breaks and subsidies and yet take money from hungry children. This should be the LEAST of our problems. Why aren’t you whining about JP Morgan’s $12 BILLION settlement for wrong doing that they can then write off $7B of it on their corporate tax returns… THIS IS WHAT should get you all hot and bothered. NOT THE BAR BILL for our embassies. You are an embarrassment to the American People. Please go back under that rock in Florida from where you came.

Lin Antalek

Have you any idea how many times I’ve heard that crap? This is less than 1% of 1%??? its total is up to 29% by now… idiot

NCCaniac42

Sorry but we are talking about $400,000 not exactly a huge amount of money. When Mr. West starts talking about the BILLIONS of dollars we waste in over payments to military contractors and corporate welfare , then I will start listening. Complaining about money for alcohol is just another way to ‘gin up’ his very ignorant base – of which you obviously are a member.

Roger Granquist

$400,000 is not a lot of money??!! You must be one of the rich tycoons you’re griping about.
Just because there are also other billions of dollars being wasted, if you don’t start with $400k, where DO you start?!
If you had $400k in the bank and someone took it, I’ll bet you would think it’s a lot of money then! Or if you handed it over to someone to provide a service to you and they bought booze instead, you’d be livid then…

redley62

People in some way or another understand your post when it affects their OWN pocket book. Just like all the Liberals who voted for Obama and Care, but when they heard they were going to have to pay for it, suddenly they felt cheated by their king. NO, you weren’t cheated Liberals….you just have to pay your share. Ever hear the term; NOTHING is ever FREE….It cost someone, something, somehow! Well, that someone would be YOU.

respectful conservative

$400,000 is more than I paid in taxes. I’d be happy to have it back!

Larryj

So you don’t like my buddy. You must be an angry man. Look this a very small part of the big picture. It is a part of that picture. I hate that we give big parts to countries that hate us Take a pill and quit hatting on people you don’t agree with.

NCCaniac42

please look in a mirror.. thanks for playing.

primitive

To disagree is not to hate. I disagree with Pres. Obama on almost everything ————- but then I knew better than to vote for a graduate of the Chicago political machine!

Roger Dent

HEY NCCANIAC YOU BEEN LISTENING TO THE TUNE OF THE PIED PIPER TOO LONG,

Rick Captain Redtyde Robinett

A penny saved is a penny earned.

faye Paolino

You voted for this pos so wake up before it’s to late for all of us.

respectful conservative

I don’t recall any arrests resulting from the banksters ruining our economy. What happened to holding people accountable?

primitive

You are held accountable if you are a successful woman! Just ask Martha Stewart!

OldmanRick

Well, some folks more than others need the alcohol to kill the taste of the brat’s BS.

Sharon Kay Brittain

NCCCaniac42, it all adds up….just pick an area and look at the waste…..

beauallen43

If you are not responsible in small things, you will not be responsible in larger things. Is our country and our standards so repugnant that we must acquire friends with bribes of money and booze? Stop the flow of handouts, look around and see who your friends really are.

marilyn

Said exactly as I was going to. Thanks.

Kelly Lynn

Good use? No. But who wants to own a liquor store next to the State Department? Or a hardware store next to the Pentagon?

faye Paolino

What a waste of our money. Seems they can’t spend it fast enough.

tullmargaret

hell it is not up to te government to s pend our money the crooks

Douglas

Nope, no need for it, water, tea, coffee or Ginger Ale would suffice. As one poster wrote, “if you are not responsible in small things, then think about the cost of larger things!

opsman

The amount spent on booze pales in comparison to the amount spent on internet service for Mosques. Yes that’s right our State Department spent over $700,000 of our taxpayer dollars to install high speed internet in Mosques.

Susan Maree Jeavons

What happened to separation of church and state? I guess Mosques don’t qualify as churches? $700,000 spent on computers for Muslims? Do Christian churches get the same?

primitive

The mosques were not in this country so no problem with separation of church and state!

Pam

That is twice as low down!

Susan Maree Jeavons

So while our schools are closing in droves because of lack of funding, our tax dollars are buying computers for mosques! Something is wrong with this picture!

Pam

Why not we pay for everything else!

Guess our school children weren’t “needy” enough.

cynicrealist

the taxpayers don’t need to ply these fuckers with booze!!!!

marilyn

Politicians should not drink. They act stupidly enough without it.

Joseph Guilbert

no money for security just for funerals.

wvweightgs

I can see the big bills under Clinton since she is a boozer and big time alcoholic but does Kerry fit that description also?: Just taking a guess, but bet so.

Adam Johnson

Serving liquor to a dignitary during a State function is okay. I’m fine with it. With all the bad decision making around the shutdown, though, I’m a little annoyed that they would say “buy what we don’t need just in case”. They told everybody else they had to hurt a little, so why didn’t THEY have to hurt a little?

redley62

Because they are Liberals, that is why. When Liberals say that Americans need to cut back on luxuries and be more frugal in their spending and eating habits, they are talking about YOU and not THEMSELVES. Haven’t you noticed this extreme by now? It have only been five (5) years. It’s their way of the pot calling the kettle, black.

Susan Maree Jeavons

Absolutely not! $400,000 of tax payer money for booze for the year, when people are homeless, out of work and just trying to survive, is shameful! Get drunk on your own dime! (BTW-I don’t drink!)

Sean

That’s is not u people are homeless. One had nothing to do w the other

Paz Bustamante Sr

That’s a lot of money to spend on booze, especially the money coming from the taxpayers. I drink, but I pay my own way. That drinking is not even socially, I buy a bottle of booze maybe once a year.

redley62

Do these people really think that one day they won’t pay the consequences of their actions?

Robert Turner

I was always like you, the designated driver. I do not see how booze is a necessity in our Embassies. OR any fundraising/party for our government. WHY do tax payers have to pay for these? So much government waste. Audit the IRS,Senate,white house!

fred b irvin

looser looser big fat boozers

Hamlet11

I work in aerospace. When traveling on company business, the government considers alcohol “unallowable” cost, therefore, they reimburse airfare and food but not booze. Same thing, different rules for the political elite…

Barb

We need to start a new gov’t who is fiscally responsible — what can average taxpayers do? When does it end? How broke do we have to get? Disgusted!!

Gilda Vizzini

NO!!

Rosebud

So the government is going to close down some or all commissaries for the military but yet they can spend this amount of money on booze for themselves and other foreigners. Shame on them!!! This Obama has got to go! NOW!!!

Sean

Pretty sure this was going on way before Obama. Cmon. And I’m not an Obama supporter. He has to go. But this is far from y

Charles Bohlman

Nobody said he started it. He just tripled the expenditure on it.

Nancy DeVisser

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY SPENT ON BOOZE. SEEMS VERY HIGH TO ME ,AND YET OUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CUT THE DEFENSE BUDGET,AND CLOSE BASE COMMASARIES ? SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.

Sean

Ok this surprises some of you? I don’t agree with it but I’m not surprised. A lot of places supply liquor to CEOs and other big wigs. In the big picture 400,000 of booze isn’t why we are broke.

primitive

You are right. It is 400,000 of this and that and the next and then it begins to add up. Just as it would at home.

LJP

Your right Sean, it’s not the booze it’s all the other entitlements that Obama is spending our money on thats the reason we are broke. And like everything he thinks booze is an entitlement.

Pam

There are times when the might have to cater to a meeting or state dinner or whatever. That is not what we are talking about. This is personal. This is the individual elected official.

Does it not make sense to cut the fat out of Federal and state budgets than borrow money? Our state has a huge racing event once a year. The governor has picnics and all kinds of events that cost the taxpayer thousands of dollars. Yet the state is insolvent. What kind of logic is that? Tradition? Bull! It is spending someone else’s money and not giving a crap.

I worked in a political job. My boss abused his budget by buying his cronies things out of the departments budget and letting us do without resources.

Start throwing 400,000 in the pot from every agency and see how it adds up. Make it retro and see why we are owned by China.

jmerts1

It may not be why we are broke but that money could be put to good use elsewhere and I don’t mean on Obama phones either.

Sean

And this has been going on forever. Obama didn’t start this so just stop w those ignorant comments. And FYI I’m not an Obama supporter

Charles Bohlman

Nobody said Obomb started it. He didn’t start it. He merely tripled it.

primitive

Why would it be ignorant to save on the liquor bill when short of money. Is it not what you would do at home?

FM505

Spending one’s own money is what you seem to be inferring…. precisely the opposite meaning of what this article is about.

primitive

You have missed the point entirely! Tax money IS our own money and should be used as such. When there is debt the government should forgo frivolities with OUR money. This should be the case not only for booze but for political jaunts to exotic places and presidential family entertainment and vacations!

FM505

Primitive, your second post is clear now. We agree on the spending limits…

cjdoren

WHY ARE THEY SPENDING MY TAX DOLLARS TO SUE THE PRESIDENT WHEN THAT MONEY COULD BE USED TO CREATE LEGISLATION TO MOVE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO JOBS BILLS?

Gary Howell

After Hillary, and you work at an embassy, you deserve to be loaded. The guns are unloaded, you should be.

traverdog

Congress and the entire administration is drunk off this and the koolaid. Kcik them all out. Greed and traitors to America.
Sick.

John Bush

The only way to go along with this administration, is three sheets in the wind!

Andrew Stanford

Has nothing to do with “THIS” administration, I dislike Obama as much as most, but this is something that has gone on for decades

ELAINE

DIt’s.been around a long.time, yes BUT
this Pres has spent more tgan all Pres, except fir one other. He thinks hes owed the freedom to spend.on.what his LITLE heart. If.ge has one

cjdoren

BOEHNER HAS BEEN SLUSHING IT UP ON GOVERNMENT FOR HIS ENTIRE TIME. WHAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS USING MY TAX DOLLARS TO SUE A PRESIDENT THAT IS DOING HIS JOB. BOEHNER SHOULD TAKE THAT OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET BECAUSE MANY MANY AMERICANS LIKE WHAT OBAMA IS DOING.

Betty L.

I’m with you Allen. It’s totally disgusting isn’t it? Nothing but a big game to them and on our dimes no less.

Twila Jeanenne Ramsey

No matter who is in office, I don’t think taxpayer money should be spent for alcohol, drugs or tobacco. I don’t care how much they drink, smoke or whatever, I just don’t want to finance it, especially when so many Americans are scrimping to put good food on the table.

I am sick of this “let them eat cake” governement.

blackyb

I care how much they drink or drug. That is why they are not doing their jobs to a great exxtent. They mostly stay buzzed and are not thinking with normal brains.

blackyb

I think they should buy their own booze.( I am also glad I got some white screen here so I can see witout straiing my eyes. That other screen is awful.) They are wasting so much money they could bring this budget up to snuff in a few years if they would not abuse their stewardships.

blackyb

Allen, I would like to see you and Trey Gowdy and Mr. Gohmert be in a position to clean up a lot of that mess we are dealing with. We have got to secure the vote, somehow.

Sandy Caruso

Just what we need…more drunk politicians.

JohnWIS

Sen. Coburn publishes a book every year, of the 10’s of $$$BILLIONS that are wasted each year.
And he just hits the tip of the berg’ on it.
People in government, have no consideration for the taxpayers. They simply do not give a rats @ss on what they spend the money on.

Pam

Again, we have let them get by with this behavior. It has been going on for ever. I would say that they should have to publish a accounting for every penny they spend but they would just lie, or make it so complicated no one would look at it. What is the answer!!

JohnWIS

Start hounding our elected representatives about these things, and let them know that we are fed up with their lack of respect towards us taxpayers.
Post these bits of information on social media and to our friends, so they will join in the fight.
Even though this is a small amount……it’s all of these little things that add up in a big way, throughout our government. We are $17 trillion in debt……it’s got to stop sometime.
It’s time to get mean, and voice some serious anger about it.

Pam

I write and sign so many partitions, that the mail delivery must think I am important. I always have loads of form letters from elected officials or the White House.

Susan Maree Jeavons

I do the same Pam. But I go one step further; I call them and let them know if I am not happy about a certain bill or things like Benghazi and blocking the WWII Veterans from their own Memorial. I give them my address and a hand full will actually take the time to reply. Of course sometimes it’s the standard form reply, but once in a while, I get a personal letter or phone call. Congressman LaTourette was very good about that. Wish they all were. So look up your rep’s phone numbers and call, call, call! My son does every day! They know him by his first name now! He’s not as nice on the phone as I am. Lol!

Fathami51

Why should these fed employees be any different than regular fed employees who can not expense ANY alcohol? They must reimburse

mike

Notice the quotation marks? (Oddly enough it was announced that the state department spent $180,000 on booze in Sept. making the total for the year over $400k, but no money for security.)

Joni Nelson

this would explain they great deal John Kerry just made with the Iranians.

ELAINE

People have been hurting since Obama took office. When.we have a deficit larger than ever, you’d think they’d tighten their pockets. Oh I forgot their privileged, their.beyond our kind. We suffer while.they spend our money. JERKS, INHUMANE.BASTARDS.

BiggRedd

Maybe they need to drink to drown their sorrows of electing Obama. LOL

Scott Alexander

Anytime you are short on money ($17 trillion in debt qualifies for short on money) the non-essentials should always be the first to go. Booze would have to qualify here.

Birdbranze

All part of Obama and his cronies’ eat, drink and be merry (gay?) attitudes.

Rita Carluccio

i find it disgusting how the Government just blows money and we the middle class are lucky to get thru Christmas .what a sad shame. We talk of north Korea and how the dictator that starves his people well the same is going on here ,The chosen have money Washington and Hollywood

Dolores

I do not believe that the taxpayers should pay for there parties, We should bye our own booze, but they are all a bunch of sleez balls. Do we even have anyone that is not looking out only for themselves and to hell with the American people. This country has become a real disgrace..God Help us…

susie

Both parties need to be impeached and new laws made that prohibits their use of taxpayers funds to buy their drinks, trips, hotels, etc. Their salary needs to stop after their term is up also.

oofda

Don’t know what West did in the Army, but there are dozens of official receptions where officers- and not just general officers- have alcoholic drinks provided.at USG expense. In the case of the State Department, diplomatic receptions are a vital part of work- and it is work, with diplomats and attaches often having to go back to the office to write up what they learned. Dip receptions are where other diplomats, military attaches and contacts can discuss things more freely and candidly. And not to worry, the vast, vast majority of the alcholic beverages are for the guests. Yes, U.S.diplomats can drink, but they are working at diplomatic receptions that are USG hosted. West’s criticism is totally uninformed.

Ken

It’s the cost of doing buisnes.

Gooyoung

Wanting to cut down on expenses do away with this booze thing. It isn’t necessary to be payed for with our dime. There are sooooo many places like this one that could be cut out to save money instead of cutting military pay and benefits programs that they earned protecting our freedom and giving their life so we can have ours. Look into programs like this instead.

Larry S. Moore

I don’t think the tax payer should or would want to pickup the federal governments BAR TAB for them or our allies or not. Yes I do have a beer or whiskey when ever I want too.

cjdoren

ALLEN WEST IS A SLAVE TO THE GOP. THEIR OWN PERSONAL MONKEY TO THE GOP GRINDER. HE IS ALWAYS POSTING SLIMY BULLSHIT. THIS IS NO EXCEPTION. THE MONEY THEY ARE WASTING ON REPEALING, DEFUNDING AND SUING THE PRESIDENT COULD BETTER BE UTILIZED WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE JOBS AND REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT. THIS INACTIVE CONGRESS IS ALWAYS DREAMING UP SOMETHING LIKE SHUTTING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT THAT WE DON’T NEED. JUST WASTING MONEY CONSTANTLY AND ACCEPTING UNEARNED PAYCHECKS TO DO SO.

Meet Allen West

Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family.

During his 22 year career in the United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones: in Operation Desert Storm, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was a Battalion Commander in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, and later in Afghanistan.